How to change keybinds in Blender (4.1.1)

1. Open Keymap Preferences: * Go to Edit → Preferences → Keymap.

2. Add a New Shortcut: * Expand the 3D View section. * Expand 3D View (Global). * Click the + icon to add a new entry.

3. Set the Operator: * In the Operator field, type: wm.call_menu * In the Name field (appears after selecting the operator), type:

   OBJECT_MT_Fred_Custom_Layer_Menu

4. Assign a Key: * Click the key field (default is None) and press your desired key (e.g., F, Shift+F, or a number pad key). * Recommended: Use a key that doesn’t conflict with your usual workflow.

5. Save: * Click Save Preferences again.

Recommended Keybindings

These keybinding changes will dramatically speed up your Grease Pencil workflow. They are optional but highly recommended for use with The Violence Layer Manager.

Quick Reference

Key	Action	Purpose
Alt + LMB	Sculpt lines in Draw Mode	Nudge strokes without switching modes
F	Sculpt radius	Change sculpt brush size while nudging
Ctrl + LMB	Trim lines	Cut strokes in Draw Mode
D	Switch to Draw Mode	Return to drawing from any mode
E	Switch to Erase Mode	Quick erase toggle
S	Switch to Sculpt Mode	Quick sculpt toggle
X	Switch to Fill Mode	Quick fill toggle
Ctrl-F	Fade Inactive Layers	Toggle layer fading
Shift-A	Apply Material	Assign active material to selection

Detailed Setup Instructions

Hold Alt to Nudge/Sculpt Lines in Draw Mode

Location: Grease Pencil → Grease Pencil Stroke Paint (Draw Brush)

1. Change the Alt + Left Mouse shortcut to gpencil.sculpt_paint

2. The “Wait for Input” box must be left unticked, but it can’t be greyed out. Tick then untick it to un-grey it.

Tip

Normally the F key changes your draw brush radius. Since The Violence Layer Manager handles brush width automatically, you can repurpose F to change your sculpt radius while holding Alt to nudge lines. This is much faster than switching to Sculpt Mode.

Press F to Change Sculpt Radius in Draw Mode

Location: Grease Pencil → Grease Pencil Stroke Paint Mode

1. Change the F shortcut to wm.radial_control

2. Change Primary Data Path to: tool_settings.gpencil_sculpt_paint.brush.size

3. Leave everything else greyed out.

Hold Ctrl to Trim Lines in Draw Mode

Location: Grease Pencil → Grease Pencil Stroke Paint (Draw Brush)

1. Change the Ctrl + Left Mouse shortcut to gpencil.stroke_cutter

2. Tick “Flat Caps” to flatten the ends of cut lines

3. Repeat this keymap in Grease Pencil Stroke Paint (Erase) if you want trimming in Erase mode too

Warning

Set the Trimmer’s Threshold to something very low (like 0.001) or cuts may not be accurate. Find this in Draw Mode → Scissors tool → Top left “Threshold” setting.

D Key to Switch to Draw Mode

Location: Grease Pencil → Grease Pencil Stroke Paint (Erase)

1. Create a new keymap, set key to D

2. Set command to wm.tool_set_by_id and press Enter

3. Set Identifier to builtin_brush.Draw and press Enter

4. Leave all other boxes greyed out

5. Repeat in these sections:

   • Grease Pencil Stroke Paint (Fill)

   • Grease Pencil Stroke Paint Vertex Mode

6. Also add in 3D View → Object Non-modal:

   • Command: object.mode_set

   • Mode: Draw Mode

Tip

Now pressing D will always return you to Draw Mode, whether you’re in Edit Mode, Erase Tool, Fill Tool, Sculpt Mode, etc.

E Key to Switch to Erase Mode

Location: Grease Pencil → Grease Pencil Stroke Paint (Draw Brush)

1. Create a new keymap, set key to E

2. Set command to wm.tool_set_by_id and press Enter

3. Set Identifier to builtin_brush.Erase and press Enter

4. Leave all other boxes greyed out

5. Repeat in these sections:

   • Grease Pencil Stroke Paint (Fill)

   • Grease Pencil Stroke Paint Vertex Mode

Note

In Edit Mode, E is reserved for Extruding vertices, so this only works in paint modes.

S Key to Switch to Sculpt Mode

Location: Grease Pencil → Grease Pencil Stroke Paint (Draw Brush)

1. Create a new keymap, set key to S

2. Set command to object.mode_set and press Enter

3. Set Mode to Sculpt Mode and press Enter

   Warning

   There may be multiple “Sculpt Mode” options. Hover your mouse to find the one that says “Sculpt Grease Pencil Strokes” — the others won’t work.

4. Leave all other boxes greyed out

5. Repeat in these sections:

   • Grease Pencil Stroke Paint (Erase)

   • Grease Pencil Stroke Paint (Fill)

X Key to Switch to Fill Mode

Location: Grease Pencil → Grease Pencil Stroke Paint (Draw Brush)

1. Create a new keymap, set key to X

2. Set command to wm.tool_set_by_id and press Enter

3. Set Identifier to builtin_brush.Fill and press Enter

4. Leave all other boxes greyed out

5. Repeat in Grease Pencil Stroke Paint (Erase)

Note

In Edit Mode, X is reserved for Delete, so this only works in paint modes.

Ctrl-F to Toggle Fade Inactive Layers

Location: Keymaps → Window

1. Create a new keymap, set key to Ctrl-F

2. Set command to wm.context_toggle and press Enter

3. Set Context Attribute to: space_data.overlay.use_gpencil_fade_layers

4. Leave all other boxes greyed out

Tip

Adjust the Fade Inactive Layers slider in the top right (next to Show Overlays) to control how much the other layers fade. You must have a GP object selected for this icon to be visible!

Shift-A to Apply Material

Location: Grease Pencil → Grease Pencil Stroke Edit Mode

1. Create a new keymap, set key to Shift-A

2. Set command to gpencil.stroke_change_color and press Enter

3. Leave all other boxes greyed out

Tip

This changes the material of selected vertices to your active material — very useful for quickly reassigning materials in Edit Mode.

Keybind Troubleshooting

• The file won’t open? Ensure you are using Blender 4.1.1+.

The panel is empty or buttons do nothing.

Check: Does your active Grease Pencil object match the required layer/material structure? Fix: Ensure the object is selected and correctly configured. How:

1. Select the Grease Pencil object in the 3D Viewport.

2. Check the Object Data Properties tab (green pencil icon).

3. Verify that the layers are named correctly (e.g., “Body”, “Head”, “Eyes”) and have the correct material slots assigned.

4. See the Installing section for the exact setup.